Hyrnns 

r-o  |h 


HoJ/y  Spirit 


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FROM    THE   LIBRARY   OF 
REV.    LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.   D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM   TO 

THE    LIBRARY   OF 

PRINCETON   THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY 


scB 


DMakw 
S«et!o» 


HYMNS 


TO 


THE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 


OF  PR/^ 
^JUH    9    1932  " 


HYMNS     x^'-LSc^ 


TO 


The  Holy  Spirit. 


JOSEPH  B.  STRATTON,  D.  D.. 

Natchez,  Miss. 


RICHMOND,  VA. : 

Presbyterian  Committee  of  Publication. 

t893. 


Copyright 

by 

JAMES  K.    HAZEN,   Secretary  of  Publication. 

1893. 


Printed  by 

whittet  &  sh epperson, 

Richmond,  Va. 


NOTE. 


HpHESE  unpretending  devotional  effusions,  which  were 
published  originally  in  the  Southwester7i  Presbyte- 
rian,  of  New  Orleans,  are  now,  at  the  request  of  numer- 
ous friends,  presented  in  the  form  of  this  little  volume, 
in  the  hope  that  the  reading  of  them  may  convey  to  some 
soul  the  spiritual  benefit  which  the  Author  has  found  in 
the  composing  of  them. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


http://archive.org/details/holyspiriOOstra 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

Note, 5 

Invocation, 9 

The  Offices  of  the  Holy  Spirit  : 

The  Life-Giver, 13 

The  Enlightener, 15 

The  Intercessor, 17 

The  Comforter, 19 

The  Witness, 22 

The  Earnest, 25 

The  Revealer, 27 

The  Sword, 29 

The  Fruit  of  the  Holy  Spirit: 

Love, 35 

JOY> 37 

Peace, 40 

Long  Suffering, 42 

Gentleness, 44 


CONTENTS. 

Page. 

Goodness,       .... 

.          .          .        46 

Faith, 

.          .          .        48 

Meekness,      .... 

•          •          .51 

Temperance, 

•       53 

)RKS  OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT: 

Pentecost,                               ; 

•       57 

Regeneration, 

.      61 

Sanctification,     . 

.        .        .      64 

Adoption,       .... 

•        ,        •      67 

Communion,  .... 

.       70 

Unity, 

•      73 

Liberty,          .... 

.        .        .       76 

The  Invitation,    . 

.       79 

The  Spirit  Resisted,    . 

.      82 

Traying  in  the  Holy  Ghost, 

.        .        .       85 

Walking  in  the  Spirit, 

.       88 

"Laus  Spiritu  Sancto," 

.       91 

INVOCATION. 


SPIRIT  OF  TRUTH,  within  whose  mystic  cell 
Are  gathered  all  things  pure,  and  good,  and  fair, 

Who  dost  to  mortals  these  thy  jewels  bear, 
As  ocean-caves  yield  pearls  from  cloistered  shell ; 
All  that  man  needs  to  know  'tis  thine  to  tell  ! 

Thy  gifts  with  lowly  suitors  thou  dost  share, 

As  the  soft  whisper  of  the  intoning  air 
To  voiceless  wave  gives  chime  of  silver-bell. 
Blind  are  our  eyes  till  thou  dost  give  them  sight  ! 

Mute  are  our  tongues  till  thou  dost  lend  them  speech  ! 
Oh  !  let  thy  quickening  touch  our  souls, — incite 

To  learn  of  thee, — and  strive,  with  nobler  reach 
Of  love  and  quest,  to  climb  the  sun-lit  height 

Of  the  pure  knowledge,  thou  dost  deign  to  teach  ! 


OFFICES 


OF 


THE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 


HYMNS  TO  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 


THE  LlFE-ClVER. 

(Rom.  viii.  it.) 

A  LL  worlds,  all  beings,  O  thou  Breath  of  God, 

Live  through  thine  inspiration  ! 
The  stars  of  heaven,  the  sea,  the  flower-gemmed 
sod, 
Throb  with  thy  vast  pulsation ! 

Where  thou  art  not — 'tis  death, — 'tis  nothingness ! 

From  thee  come  voice  and  motion ; 
As  choral  music,  at  the  wind's  caress, 

Springs  from  the  depths  of  ocean. 

Dead  souls,  that  lie  in  palsied  impotence, 

Revive  at  thy  vocation  ! 
They  burst   the  tomb — they  change  their   cere- 
ments 
To  garments  of  salvation. 
13 


14  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


The  sensual  film  drops  from  their  blinded  view; 

Life  thrills  with  strange  elation ; 
Old  things  are  passed  away — lo  !  all  is  new, 

As  in  a  new  creation ! 

Like  winged  forms,  from  the  dark  chrysalis 

To  sunny  realms  translated, 
O'er  fields  of  Faith  and  springs  of  Heavenly  bliss 

They  range  with  zeal  unsated  ! 

O  mighty  Quickener,  on  me  bestow 

This  blessed  resurrection ! 
And  help  me,  by  thy  grace,  to  grow 

To  Christ's  complete  perfection  ! 

Oh  !  come,  as  morning  air,"  o'er  hill  and  plain, 

Comes  to  the  earth's  appealing ! 
Oh !  come,  till  man's  lost  race  shall  live  again, 

New-born,  through  thy  blest  healing ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  15 


II. 

THE  ENLICHTENER. 

(Eph.  i.  8.) 


POR  thee  I  long,  O  Fount  of  Light, 
As  one  begirt  with  Arctic  night 
Longs  for  the  sun  again  ; 
To  thee  I  lift  my  empty  cup, 
As  thirsty  plants  to  clouds  look  up, 
Crying  for  heaven's  sweet  rain  ! 

Thy  Word,  I  know,  like  starry  skies, 
Shines  o'er  me;  but  to  my  dim  eyes 

There  comes  no  cheering  ray ; 
God's  glory,  e'en  in  Jesus'  face, 
My  blinded  orbs  refuse  to  trace ; 

My  darkness  knows  no  day ! 

Oh  !  purge  my  sight,  that  heavenly  things, 
Now  veiled  by  earthly  shadowings, 
May  fill  my  clouded  sphere  ! 


16  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


And  words  of  Christ,  which  now  I  note 
With  vacant  mind,  as  barren  rote, 
' '  Spirit  and  Life  "  appear  ! 

Oh  !  spread  thy  brooding  wing  above 
This  inward  void,  as  thou  didst  move 

Creation  into  birth ! 
Say  to  my  soul,  "  Let  there  be  light !" 
Bid  interposing  clouds  take  flight, 

And  heaven  relumine  earth  ! 

Thine  is  the  fulness, — mine  the  need  ! 
In  all  the  realms  of  life  I  read 

Thy  boundless  plenitude ; 
Renew,  inspire,  transform  my  heart, 
Till,  cleansed  by  thee  in  every  part, 

God  shall  pronounce  it  "  Good  !" 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  iy 


o 


III. 

THE   INTERCESSOR. 

(Rom.  viii.  26.) 

H  !  miracle  of  miracles  ! 


The  Eternal  Spirit  stoops  to  share 
My  lowly  wants,  and  gently  tells 

My  soul  the  thoughts  it  needs  in  prayer ! 

How  like  that  sweet  maternal  art, 
Which  in  the  callow  bird  excites 

New  force  of  limb — new  strength  of  heart, 
To  train  it  for  its  future  flights ! 

How  oft,  dear  Lord,  when  at  thy  gate 
I  kneel,  athirst  to  breathe  my  suit. 

My  faltering  accents  hesitate ; 

My  spirit  sinks — my  tongue  grows  mute  ! 

The  holiness  which  girds  the  throne 
At  which  I  bow,  my  soul  subdues 
3 


i8  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


To  awe  struck  silence;  and  a  groan 
Is  all  the  speech  I  dare  to  use. 

And  must  I  then,  as  one  debarred 
From  mercy's  door,  turn  sad  away? 

Wilt  thou,  O  Father,  thus  discard 

The  prayer  I  would,  but  cannot,  say?' 

Oh  !  sweet  response !  An  unseen  hand 
Lifts  from  my  heart  its  stifling  weight  C 

A  voice,  than  angel's  note  more  bland, 
Cries,  "  See  in  me  thine  Advocate  !  " 

"  Speak  out,  poor  child,  thy  timid  tones 
I  turn  to  language  loud  and  clear ! 

I  tune  thy  weak,  discordant  groans 
To  music,  God  delights  to  hear  ! " 

O  Holy  Ghost,  thus,  day  by  day, 
Enfold  me  with  thy  sponsor-grace  ; 

That  ever,  where  I  kneel  to  pray, 

My  soul  may  find  God's  dwelling-place  I 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  ig 


IV. 
THE  COMFORTER. 

(John  xiv.  16.) 

f\  H  !  glorious  Trinity, 

A  threefold  life  in  thee 
In  oneness  lies. 

As  clouds  in  wreaths  of  gold 

Within  themselves  are  rolled, 

Thy  glory  manifold 

Comes  to  our  eyes. 

The  Father  and  the  Son 
And  Spirit  join  in  one, 

To  save  lost  man ! 
In  triple  streams  of  love, 
From  the  one  Fount  above, 
Their  blended  currents  move 

In  God's  great  plan  ! 


2o  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


Not  always  o'er  his  sheep, 
Doth  Christ  his  wardship  keep, 

At  earthly  post ; 
But  e'er  for  their  defense, 
In  loving  recompense, 
Sends  to  their  orphan'd  sense 

The  Holy  Ghost. 

The  promise  infinite, 
In  scroll  eternal  writ, 

He  so  fulfilled  ! 
Lo !  from  the  upper  spheres, 
The  Comforter  appears, 
Out  of  men's  griefs  and  fears 

New  hopes  to  build ! 

Thy  voice  I  may  not  hear, 
But  thy  co-equal  Peer 

Speaks  to  me,  Lord ! 
He  doth  my  sight  refine, 
And  make  the  things  of  thine 
With  light  celestial  shine, 

A  living  Word  ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  21 


Thy  presence,  heavenly  Guest, 
Subdues  my  soul  to  rest, 

With  memories  sweet, 
Of  Jesus,  and  his  grace  ! 
Thy  smiles  reveal  his  face, — 
Thy  touch  is  his  embrace, — 

Dear  Paraclete  ! 


22  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


V. 

THE  WITNESS. 

(Rom.  viii.  16.) 


/~\  GOD  the  Spirit,  can  it  be, 

That  converse  thou  dost  hold  with  me  ? 
And  bear' st  in  tones,  by  sense  unheard, 
But  clearer  far  than  spoken  word, 
The  gracious  message,  "Thou  art  mine, 
My  child — my  heir — by  birth  divine"? 

Oh !  keep  that  voice  forever  near, 
To  bless  me  with  its  notes  of  cheer  ! 
For  ofttimes  doubts  around  me  throng 
In  mocking  troops,  and  turn  my  song 
To  choking  sigh  and  anxious  groan, 
Lest  thou  my  kinship  should'st  disown. 

Or,  the  soul's  torpor  gives  no  sign 
Of  living  light  within  its  shrine; 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  23 


Faith's  quick'ning  pulse  is  quenched  in  death ; 
From  stifling  airs  I  draw  my  breath; 
My  palsied  tongue  in  prayer  grows  mute, 
Like  tuneless  chord  of  unstrung  lute. 

Or  if,  in  thought,  I  make  review 
Of  work  for  God,  so  scant  and  few 
My  labors  seem,  that  fear  creeps  in, 
And  clothes  all  life  with  taint  of  sin ; 
And  conscience  cries,  in  tone  severe, 
"  There  are  no  marks  of  sonship  here." 

Oh  !  softly,  then,  to  my  despair, 

As  waft  of  dove's  wing  through  the  air, 

Is  borne  an  answer  on  the  breeze, 

Joyous  as  angels'  symphonies, 

And  soothing  as  Siloah's  tide, 

"  Thou  liv'st,  poor  soul,  for  Christ  has  died  ! " 

"  These  sighs,  these  groans,  this  fierce  unrest,, 
Are  vital  throbbings  in  thy  breast ! 
This  homesick  eye,  that  skyward  looks, 
This  thirst  for  heavenly  water-brooks, 


24  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


Do  not  these  filial  yearnings  prove 
The  drawings  of  the  Father's  love  ? 

"  The  need  that  seeks,  like  wearied  bird, 

An  altar-nest  in  Jesus'  word ; 

The  prayer  that  says,  with  fire  aglow, 

i  Dear  Lord,  I  cannot  let  thee  go ' ; 

Do  these  not  show  the  mystery 

Of  wedded  life  'twixt  Christ  and  thee  ? 

u  Oh  !  weak  disciple,  burdened  o'er 

With  conscious  wound  and  bruise  and  sore, 

Look  up  !  thy  Master  and  thy  Friend, 

His  pitying  glance  doth  o'er  thee  bend, 

And  woos  thee  to  his  arms  to  flee, 

With  the  sweet  question,  '  Lov'st  thou  Me?'" 

Oh  !  heavenly  Witness,  let  my  ear, 
By  thee  attuned,  be  quick  to  hear 
Thy  blest  monition's  cheering  strain 
Sweetening  earth's  dirge  with  its  refrain, 
Till  safe  with  Christ — my  doubtings  o'er, 
I  need  thy  solace — nevermore  ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  25 


VI. 
THE   EARNEST- 

(2  Cor.  i.  22.) 

f   WALK  the  earth,  an  heir 

Of  a  realm  beyond  the  sky, 
Though  now,  I  know  not  where, 

Its  imperial  regions  lie  \ 
But  sure  I  am,  the  day  will  come 
When  its  bright  halls  shall  be  my  home. 

I  know  in  heaven  my  name 

With  the  royal  seed  is  writ, 
And  Christ  will  own  my  claim 

With  the  princely  throng  to  sit; 
Who,  faithful  here  the  Cross  to  bear, 
With  him  enthroned,  the  Crown  shall  wear. 

It  is  but  scanty  fare, 

And  the  pilgrim's  toil  I  meet, 
In  this  hard  world  of  care, 

Where  I  draw  my  weary  feet ; 
4 


26  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


But  ever,  as  I  march  along, 
I  catch  the  coronation  song. 

Within  my  spirit's  shrine, 
As  an  earnest  of  its  bliss, 

I  feel  the  pulse  divine 

Of  a  nobler  life  than  this  : 

As  eaglet  in  its  eyrie  pent 

Forecasts  its  sunny  element. 

For  thou,  dear  Lord,  the  seal 
Which  my  lineage  doth  attest, 

Dost  often  to  my  sense  reveal, 
In  these  yearnings  in  my  breast, 

Which  tell  that  I,  a  child  of  sin, 

Am  now,  new-born,  to  God  akin. 

Since  thou  hast  deigned  to  be 
Of  my  lowly  soul  the  guest, 

In  this  blest  unity, 

I  can  fold  my  heart  to  rest. 

O  Holy  Ghost,  thou  pledgest  me 

That  I  shall  share  Christ's  Royalty  ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  27 


VII. 
THE   REVEALER. 

(1  Cor.  ii.  10.) 

f    CLIMB  the  mountain's  height, 
I  soar  on  wings  of  light, 
In  quest  of  thee,  my  God  ! 
I  search  creation's  maze, 
Seeking,  with  tireless  gaze, 
The  way  thy  steps  have  trod ! 

But  cold  as  shining  star 
In  the  dim  depths  afar, 

Nature  thy  form  reveals ; 
No  warmth  the  vision  brings  \ 
No  loving  answerings 

Respond  to  my  appeals. 

Not  here — not  here,  my  soul 
Finds  the  supernal  goal 
Its  eager  hopes  pursue ; 


2(9  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


A  God  my  spirit  craves, 
Who  pities,  loves,  and  saves, 
Holy,  and  just  and  true ; 

A  Father,  whose  soft  touch 
Gives  strength  to  weakness,  such 

As  clasps  the  child  about ; 
A  Friend,  whose  patient  care 
Can  all  my  burdens  bear, 

And  e'en  my  sins  blot  out. 

To  thee,  O  Holy  Ghost, 
Blest  Comforter,  who  dost 

God's  secret  things  survey, 
To  thee  I  lift  my  plea ; 
Do  thou  the  mystery 

To  my  blind  eye  display  ! 

Let  Christ's  dear  image  be 
The  link  'twixt  God  and  me, 

Bringing  the  distant  nigh  ! 
Till  in  his  sweet  embrace, 
I  see  him  face  to  face, 

And  "Abba,  Father,"  cry. 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  2Q 


o 


VIII. 

THE  SWORD. 

(Eph.  vi.  17.) 

THOU  who  bear'st  the  olive  branch, 


Who  lay'st  thy  gentle  interdict 
On  human  strife,  and  lov'st  to  stanch 

The  wounds  which  Wrong  and  Hate  inflict! 
Spirit  of  Grace  1  no  murderous  steel, 

Instinct  with  tiger's  thirst  for  blood, 
Gleams  in  thy  hand! — For  man's  true  weal, 

Thou  wield'st  thy  sword — the  Word  of  God 

Oh !  blessed  Sword,  by  Love  enwreathed, 

By  Truth  with  edge  and  point  endued, 
Ever  in  Mercy's  cause  unsheathed, 

Thou  warrest  for  the  sake  of  good ! 
Sin's  bold  entrenchments  thou  dost  storm  j 

Its  fair  devices  thou  dost  pierce ; 
Where  Satan  walks  in  angel's  form 

Thou  stand'st,  a  foeman,  strong  and  fierce. 


jo  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


As  day-beam  o'er  the  primal  night, 

With  flashing  light  and  beauty  broke, 
Thou  dost  the  realms  of  falsehood  smite, 

And  error  dies  beneath  thy  stroke. 
The  slumbering  conscience  feels  thy  thrust ; 

Self-righteous  pride  falls  at  thy  blow ; 
Nature's  conceits  thou  turn's!;  to  dust, 

As  in  the  sun's  shafts  melts  the  snow. 

Not  Death's  red  spoil,  O  Holy  Ghost, 

Thy  kindly  strategy  would  win ; 
Thou  savest  to  the  uttermost 

Those  whom  thy  slay'st — by  slaying  sin. 
'Tis  when  thy  sword  from  reason's  eye 

Cuts  loose  the  films  which  mar  its  ken, 
That  souls,  set  free  from  sorcery, 

Awake  to  reason's  life  again. 

Man  sees  himself  through  those  keen  rifts 

Which  thou  dost  cleave  through  passion's  veil; 

And,  freed  from  sensual  fetters,  lifts 

A  wing  that  dares  heaven's  heights  to  scale. 


Hymns  to  t/ic  Holy  Spirit.  ji 


The  heart  thou  break'st,  lets  in  the  light 
Which  shows  in  Christ  a  healing  balm ; 

The  reed,  laid  prostrate  by  thy  blight, 
Springs  from  the  dust, — a  kingly  palm. 

With  withered  thigh  and  halting  limb, 

Thou  smit'st  the  bold,  defiant  soul, 
That,  chastened,  it  may  lean  on  him 

Whose  grace  can  make  the  wounded  whole. 
Thou  prun'st  the  vine,  that  from  its  bough 

New  shoots  may  spring — new  clusters  hang; 
Thy  power,  that  rends  the  bosom  now, 

Unfolds  new  life  from  every  pang. 

Still  wield  thy  sword,  O  Mighty  Power, 

O'er  regions  now  immersed  in  night ! 
Strike  with  thy  blade,  till  strikes  the  hour 

That  marks  the  reign  of  gospel  light ! 
To  preached  word  and  printed  page, 

Thy  potent  demonstration  lend ! 
Wave  o'er  the  fields  where  storm-clouds  rage, 

And  bid  them  into  rainbows  blend  ! 


J 2  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


Still  wield  thy  sword,  O  Loving  Foe, 

Within  this  wayward  soul  of  mine  ! 
Its  lawless  hordes  of  lusts  lay  low, 

And  change  self-rule  to  rule  of  thine  ! 
Purge  with  thy  Word's  incisive  gleam 

Each  lep'rous  vice  which  lurks  within, 
Till  in  its  light  my  features  beam, 

Spotless  as  his — "  who  knew  no  sin  ! " 


FRUIT 


THE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 


(Gal.  v.  22,  23.) 


Hyimis  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  j$ 


IX. 

LOVE. 

(Gal.  v.  22.) 

r^  IVER  of  life,  no  sterile  root 
Thou  plantest  in  the  soul ! 
Thy  heavenly  germs  to  bud  and  fruit 
Mature,  through  Love's  control. 

Oh  !  if  in  me  thy  plastic  power 

Has  lodged  the  vital  gift, 
Bid  Love  to  perfect  leaf  and  flower, 

The  sacred  seedling  lift ! 

Let  Love  to  him  who  first  loved  me 
Quicken  and  warm  my  heart, 

Till,  like  his  own  wide  charity, 
In  all  life  Love  takes  part ! 

Let  pride  and  self-idolatry 

Be  quenched  within  my  mind  ! 


j6  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


And  every  thought  and  purpose  be 
To  Love's  sweet  sway  consigned  ! 

Let  life,  inspired  by  Christ-like  Love, 
In  Christ-like  deeds  abound, 

A  harvest  such  as  saints  above 
Gather  on  heavenly  ground  ! 

Giver  of  life,  add  grace  to  grace  ! 

Let  Love  to  life  be  given, 
That  life  on  earth  the  way  may  trace 

To  Love  Divine  in  heaven  ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  37 


X. 

J  0  Y. 

(Gal.  v.  22.) 

XT OT  always  drooping,  like  the  bruised  reed, 
Not  always  clad  in  mourner's  sable  weed, 
Would'st  thou,  dear  Lord,  thy  pilgrim  people  lead- 
Through  this  life's  wilderness  ; 
But  oft,  with  sunlit  face  and  rapturous  song, 
With  hope  exultant,  and  with  courage  strong, 
Shouting  hosannas,  like  the  angelic  throng, 
Thou  bid'st  them  onward  press. 

As  the  dull  mountain  in  the  morning's  flush 
Gleams  with  a  golden  fringe,  and  the  dead  hush 
Of  night  awakes  to  life's  quick  stir  and  rush, 

So  when  thy  smile,  O  God, 
Shines  on  the  dreary  realm  within  my  breast, 
Lo  !  a  new  world,  in  Eden  glories  drest, 
With  joyous  sunbeam  gilding  vale  and  crest, 

Spreads  jubilant  abroad  ! 


j8  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


My  soul  transfigured  is  ! — The  doubt,  the  dread, 
Which  secret  sin  and  faithlessness  had  bred 
Within  my  heart  are  gone  !  I  lift  my  head 

And  bathe  in  floods  of  light  ! 
My  gross  perceptions,  changed  to  visions  clear, 
In  blythe  excursions  range  the  atmosphere, 
Till  heaven's  bright  domes  and  gates  of  pearl 
appear 

Almost  like  things  of  sight. 

God's  words  of  grace,  in  promise  and  decree, 

Fall  on  my  ear  with  living  potency ; 

And  Christ,  in  loving  converse,  says  to  me, 

"  Rejoice,  for  thou  art  mine  ! " 
Oh  !  then,  there  seems  through  heaven  and  earth 

to  float, 
In  tuneful  concord,  from  creation's  throat, 
The  glad  refrain — the  universal  note, 

"  Rejoice,  for  Christ  is  thine  !  " 

Spirit  of  Joy,  the  Primal  Harmony, 
Outbreaking  Bliss  of  the  Eternal  Three, 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  jp 


Behold  me  groping  'neath  night's  canopy, 

And  morn's  sweet  light  bestow  ! 
Oh  !  grant,  as  erst  thou  dids't  to  Israel's  seer, 
That  oft,  from  hill-tops  midst  these  deserts  drear, 
Such  Pisgah  glimpses  may  my  spirit  cheer, 
While  wandering  here  below  ! 


40  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


XL 
PEACE. 

(Gal.  v.  22.) 

HP HERE  is  a  moaning  in  my  breast, 

A  plaint,  as  of  the  sea, 
When  battling  winds  break  up  its  rest 
With  their  mad  revelry. 

On  rolling  waves  each  moment  rocked, 

I  rise — I  sink — I  seem 
Like  one  by  taunting  spectres  mocked, 

In  some  delirious  dream. 

My  life 's  a  shifting  theatre, 

Where  phantoms  come  and  go; 

My  hopes  are  crossed,  my  footsteps  err, 
My  joys  presage  my  woe. 

The  good  I  would  I  do  not  do ; 
Discord  prevails  within ; 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  41 


Illusive  things  supplant  the  true, 
And  lure  me  into  sin. 

Tossed  to  and  fro  in  this  wild  whirl, 

To  God  my  spirit  flies ; 
And  in  his  central  rest,  the  pearl 

Of  creature-rest  descries. 

O  Peace  of  God  !  O  Heavenly  Ark  ! 

O  Refuge  of  the  weak  ! 
Come  floating  o'er  these  billows  dark, 

And  bring  the  boon  I  seek  ! 

O  Holy  Ghost !  'tis  thine  to  bid 
These  weary  wrestlings  cease, 

And,  in  the  Father's  bosom  hid, 
To  give  the  soul  true  peace  ! 


42  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


XII. 
LONG-SUFFERINC. 

(Gal.  v.  22.) 


'"pO  suffer — and  to  suffer  long, 

With  patient  love,  in  face  of  wrong ; 
To  strive  to  bless — and  get  no  heed, 
Oh !  this  is  bitterness  indeed  ! 

To  offer  pearls  with  generous  suit, 
And  see  them  trampled  under  foot; 
To  sow  the  wheat  and  reap  the  tare, 
Oh  !  this  is  burden  hard  to  bear  ! 

To  feel  the  sword,  and  yet  invoke 
Mercy  on  him  who  deals  the  stroke  ; 
To  plead  with  those  who  mock  our  plea, 
Oh  !  this  is  keenest  agony ! 

For  other's  good  to  pay  the  price 
Of  daily  toil  and  sacrifice, 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  43 


And  yet  be  met  with  taunt  and  curse, 
Oh !  this  is  pang,  than  martyr's  worse  ! 

'Twas  thus,  O  Christ,  the  crown  of  thorn 
For  us  thy  brow  on  earth  has  worn ; 
And  still,  though  throned  in  heaven  above, 
Thou  sufferest  long  for  man's  slow  love  ! 

O  Holy  Ghost !  in  me  instill 
The  grace  of  Christ's  long-suffering  will, 
That  selfish  greed  and  carnal  pride 
May  on  his  cross  be  crucified  ! 

Each  day,  from  morn  to  eventide, 

Do  thou  my  march  to  victory  guide, — 

Till  the  dear  Lord,  at  set  of  sun, 

Shall  o'er  my  trophies  say,  "Well  done  ! " 


44  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


XIII. 
GENTLENESS. 

(Gal.  v.  22.) 


AH  !  wondrous  potency  of  gentle  things! 

Oh  !  answer  soft,  that  quenches  wrath  ! 
Oh !  music,  zephyr-born,  of  airy  strings  ! 
Oh  !  pity's  tear  !  oh  !  love's  kind  whisperings  ! 
A  might  ye  have  no  warrior  hath. 

The  gentle  snow-flake  wraps  the  buried  seed 
With  fleecy  shield  from  winter's  death ; 

The  gentle  rain-drop  slakes  the  desert's  need  ; 

The  gentle  sunbeam  quickens  vale  and  mead 
With  flow'ry  life  and  perfumed  breath. 

The  whirlwind's  uproar  and  the  lightning's  blaze, 

Confound  and  blind  the  inner  sense ; 
The  "  still  small  voice,"  with  tranquilizing  phrase 
Steals  to  the  soul,  and  gently  there  conveys 
The  words  of  God's  omnipotence. 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  4.5 


So  Jesus  scattered  messages  of  grace 

On  hearts  with  guilt  and  sorrow  sore  \ 
Lifting  the  downcast  to  his  warm  embrace, 
By  gentle  speech  re-uttered  by  his  face, 

"  I  judge  thee  not  ! — Go,  sin  no  more  !  " 

So,  not  with  fire  from  heaven  would  he  consume 
The  crowd  who  drove  him  from  their  gates ; 
So,  not  in  wrath  but  tears,  he  tells  the  doom, — 
Fraught  with  gaunt  famine  and  the  battle's  boom, 
Which  Judah's  capital  awaits. 

So,  not  by  force  of  martial  sword  and  spear 
Would  he  his  kingly  crown  maintain  ; 
But  through  the  truth, — beseeching  men  to  hear, — 
By  love's  attraction  drawing  rebels  near, — 
He  gently  seeks  the  world  to  gain. 

O  Holy  Spirit,  Soul  of  Gentleness, 

This  Christ-like  mind  in  me  enshrine  ! 

The  bigot's  wrath,  the  zealot's  fire,  repress ! 

Let  my  ambition  be— a  zeal  to  bless, 

A  passion  pure,  dear  Lord,  as  thine ! 


46  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


XIV. 
COODNESS. 

(Gal.  v.  22.) 

Z^vH!  in  this  world  of  woe, 

With  sin's  dark  trophies  strewed, 
How  passing  sweet  it  is  to  know 
That  thou,  O  God,  art  good  ! 

Like  heaven's  pure  air  outspread 
O'er  deserts  parched  and  bare, 

Thy  wide  compassions  gently  shed 
Their  solace  everywhere. 

Thou  mak'st  the  bright  more  bright; 

Thou  still'st  the  mourner's  sigh  ; 
Thou  show'st  to  sorrow's  tear-dimmed  sight 

Hope's  rainbow  in  the  sky. 

'Twas  thus  the  Son  of  God 

In  goodness  walked  with  men  ; 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit  4.7 


Flowers  smiled  along  the  path  he  trod, 
And  Eden  bloomed  again. 

His  wealth  was  in  his  loss ; 

His  good  was  good  to  give  ; 
His  joy  was  joy  to  bear  the  cross ; 

He  died  that  man  might  live. 

O  Heavenly  Dove  !  on  me 

Christ's  holy  chrism  confer, 
That  I  may  walk  thus  lovingly, 

His  lowly  follower  ! 


48  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


XV. 
FAITH. 

(Gal.  v.  22.) 

/^H  !  mystery  of  Faith,  how  like  creation 

Thy  wondrous  transformations  are  ! 
Thou  mak'st  of  empty  space  the  habitation 
Of  shining  ranks  of  star  on  star  ! 

Without  thy  light,  the  soul,  with  its  high  vision, 
Formed  to  traverse  the  realms  of  God, 

Ignobly  stoops  from  altitudes  elysian 
To  crawl,  the  tenant  of  a  clod. 

Oh  !  victory  of  Faith,  there  are  no  regions 
Whose  walls  thy  prowess  has  not  scaled  ! 

From  nature's  depths  to  heavenly  heights,  thy 
legions 
O'er  vanquished  empires  have  prevailed ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  49 


Thou  lead'st  the  trembling  soul  to  Sinai's  moun- 
tain, 
Where  thunders  God's  condemning  law ! 
Thou    guid'st    the    penitent    to    Calvary's   foun- 
tain, 
And  bid'st  him  life  from  Jesus  draw  ! 

Inspired  by  thee,  the  simple  wit  of  mortals 
The  assaults  of  hellish  craft  defeats ! 

Convoyed  by  thee,  they  tread,  through  death's 
dark  portals, 
The  way  that  leads  to  angels'  seats  ! 

Girt  with  thy  panoply,  with  port  defiant, 
They  face  unawed  the  mightiest  foe  • 

The  stripling's  rustic  arms  o'ermatch  the  giant, 
And  lay  his  haughty  boastings  low. 

Spirit  of  God  !  whose  grace  in  bloody  ages, 
The  saints  through  martyr  fires  has  borner 

Whene'er  for  periled  truth  the  combat  rages., 
Grant  me  the  mantle  they  have  worn  ! 
7 


jo  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


My  timid  heart  with  hero's  fire  embolden, 
My  sling  with  might  celestial  gird  ! 

That  I,  by  faith  in  Israel's  God  upholden, 
May  battle  do  for  Christ's  pure  Word  ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  51 


XVI. 
MEEKNESS. 

(Gal.  v.  23.) 


^HE  lily,  swaying  to  the  breeze, 

Clad  in  its  heaven- wrought  draperies, 

And  nestling  in  the  sun, 
Smiling  on  all  who  pass  it  by, 
Whether  with  pleased  or  careless  eye, — 

Outglories  Solomon  ! 

The  lordly  mien — the  haughty  brow, 
The  imperious  v  ill.  that  scorns  to  bow 

To  voice  of  Right  or  Love \ 
The  pride  that  others'  worth  disdains, 
That  recks  not  others'  joys  or  pains, 

From  me.  O  God,  remove  ! 

'Tis  when,  clear  Lord,  we  learn  from  thee 
The  sense  of  our  deformity, 

That  grace  self-love  o'erpowers; 


52  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


And,  joined  with  thee  in  faith's  embrace, 
We  catch  the  likeness  of  thy  face, 
And  make  thy  Meekness  ours. 

The  living  light  thou  dost  infuse, 
Like  sunbeam  flinging  iris-hues 

O'er  rugged  crag  or  crumbling  tower, 
To  nature  gives  new  tint  and  form, 
Till  harshness  grows  to  tempers  warm 

In  love's  soft  summer  shower. 

Oh  !  thou  Inspirer  of  Christ's  flock, 
Convert  to  flesh  my  heart  of  rock  ! 

Purge  it  of  sin's  dark  taints  ! 
Gracious  become,  through  grace  bestowed, 
Help  me  to  tread  the  lowly  road 

The  Master  showed  his  saints  ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  53 


XVII. 
TEMPERANCE. 

(Gal.  v.  23.) 

^~pO  use  the  world  without  abuse, 

Its  joy  to  taste  without  excess, 
Its  gold  to  win,  its  dross  refuse, 

Is  heaven's  strait  way  to  happiness  ! 

O  Holy  Ghost,  whose  wholesome  touch 
Vice  of  its  specious  mask  disarms, 

Keep  me  from  craving  overmuch 
The  witchery  of  pleasure's  charms  ! 

Repress  those  strong  volcanic  fires 
Which  rage  with  baleful  heat  within  ! 

Teach  me  to  curb  my  wild  desires, 
With  self-restraint  and  fear  of  sin  ! 

Help  me,  by  faith,  to  fetter  sense  ; 
To  shun  e'en  good  that  leads  to  ill  ; 


34  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


To  quench  the  lust  that  breeds  offence. 
And  chasten  passion's  prurient  will  ! 

In  the  sweet  bondage  of  thy  chain 
Let  me  walk  forth,  in  spirit  free, 

From  nature's  loss  extracting  gain, 
From  Temperance,  Satiety  ! 


WORKS 


THE    HOLY    SPIRIT. 


Hy?nns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  57 


XVIII. 
PENTECOST. 

(Acts  ii.  1-5.) 

[    O !    a    sound    like    the    wind    rushing    down 

through  the  air, 
Smites   the    ears   of  a   multitude    gathered    for 

prayer, 
And  a  radiant   shower,   like  the   drifts  from   a 

cloud 
Which  the  sunset  has  kindled,  descends  on  the 
crowd. 

'Tis  the  day  Pentecostal — the  day  of  the  Lord  ! 

When,  with  armor  celestial,  more  potent  than 
sword, 

He  has  marshalled  his  legions,  and  o'er  them  un- 
furled 

The    imperial    sign    which    should    conquer    the 

world  ! 
8 


jS  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


Evermore  should  that  sound,  with  the  sweep  of 

the  breeze, 
Bear  the  news  of  Redemption  o'er  mountain  and 

seas  ! 
Evermore,  through  the  earth,  in  its  breadth  and 

its  length, 
Should  its  circuit  increase  and  its  voice  grow  in 

strength  ! 

Evermore    should    the    flame    of   that   luminous 

sheet, 
With  its  fiery  tongues  and  its  lightning-like  heat, 
Through    the    lapse   of    the    ages,    resplendent 

abroad, 
Shed  the  life-giving  sheen  of  the  banner  of  God ! 

Evermore  should  the  shafts  from  that  quiver  of 

light, 
Pierce    with    meteor  splendors    the    caverns    of 

night ; 
Evermore  should  the  Truth,  in  its  jubilant  march, 
O'er  the   dark  fields  of  error    spread    wider  its 

arch  ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  59 


Evermore  !  For  the  Crucified,  raised  to  his 
throne, 

All  dominion  and  power  has  claimed  for  his  own  ; 

And  the  oath  of  the  Father  has  sealed  the  de- 
cree, 

"  To  the  Son  shall  all  kingdoms  and  tribes  bow 
the  knee  ! " 

Yet,  how  slowly,  dear  Saviour,  thy  chariot-wheels 

roll ! 
How  remote,  through  the  battle's  smoke,  hovers 

the  goal ! 
So  entrenched  are  thy  foes,  and  so  fierce  is  their 

spite, 
That  thy  people  oft  falter,  and  their  hands  cease 

to  fight ! 

Come  again,  O  thou  Spirit  of  wind  and  of  fire  ! 

With  a  thousand-fold  baptism  Christ's  armies  in- 
spire ! 

Give  the  church  a  new  speech,  and  a  heart  all 
aflame, 

To  exalt  'mongst  the  nations  Emmanuel's  name  ! 


do  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


Let    the    saints    crowd  again   to  the   temple  of 

prayer ! 
Let  the  arm  of  the  Lord  once  again  be  made 

bare  ! 
And  his  conquests  go  on  till  the  welkin's  broad 

dome 
Shall  resound  with  the  paean,  "  God's  kingdom 

has  come ! " 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  61 


XIX. 

REGENERATION. 

(John  iii.  3.) 

A  LMIGHTY  Spirit,  at  whose  nod 
The  obedient  dust  grew  into  man, 
Still  thou  dost  guide  the  wondrous  plan, 
That  makes  of  men  the  "sons  of  God." 


Not  will  of  flesh,  not  rite  or  cult, 

Can  weave  the  sweet  mysterious  zone 
Which  binds  the  sire  and  child  in  one  \ 

Life  ever  is  life's  great  result. 

Each  creature  bears  its  special  mark ; 

A  seed  divine  needs  heavenly  birth ; 

God's  offspring  are  not  born  of  earth ; 
Stars  are  not  kindled  by  the  dark. 


62  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


The  breath  which  breathed  o'er  bleached  bones - 
Lifts  from  their  grave  a  living  host, — 
Is  thine  alone,  O  Holy  Ghost ! 

No  mortal  craft  the  secret  owns. 

From  soil  defiled  and  noisome  cave 
The  blackened  ore  thou  dost  extract, 
And  purge  with  thy  creative  tact, 

In  melting  fire  or  crystal  wave. 

So  human  souls,  in  death  robes  swathed, 
Thou  bid'st  their  sepulchres  forsake, 
And  to  a  life  celestial  wake, 

Like  Naaman  in  the  Jordan  bathed. 

From  darkened  eyes  the  scales  are  torn  \ 
Sin's  baleful  blight  quits  hand  and  heart; 
Foul  spirits  from  the  breast  depart, 

Like  ghostly  shapes  at  flush  of  morn. 

Such  rare,  such  blest  nativity, 

Which  man  not  makes,  but  makes  anew, 
Angels  with  rapt  amazement  view, 

And  joy,  Christ's  travail  thus  to  see. 


Hym?is  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  6j 


My  soul  its  blissful  pulses  knows, 

And  knows  them  true ;  but  ah !  so  faint 
That  oft  I  breathe  the  impatient  plaint, 

"  Send,  Lord,  not  draughts,  but  overflows  !  " 

Wider  and  wider  spread  abroad 

Thy  quickening  power,  like  flood  and  flame, 
Till  earth,  like  heaven,  through  Jesus'  name, 

Shall  peopled  be  with  "  sons  of  God ! " 


6\  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


XX. 
SANCTIFICATION. 

(2  Thess.  ii.  13.) 

T^ROM  heaven's  pure  realm,  O  Holy  Dove, 
Thou  com'st  to  men  on  silver  wing, 
And  evermore  thy  visits  bring 

Gleams  from  the  world  of  light  above ! 

As  seed  lies  buried  in  the  sod, 

Or  wrapped  inert  in  mummy's  shroud, 
Till  quickening  touch  of  sun  and  cloud 

Lifts  it  to  life,  a  flower  of  God ; 

So  human  souls,  from  earthly  mould, 
Breathed  on  by  thee,  in  beauty  rise, 
And  catch  from  the  o'erbending  skies, 

Their  tints  of  azure,  pearl  and  gold. 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  65 

Thy  work  is,  what  thy  nature  is  ! 

Thou  art,  that  thou  may'st  mortals  make 
Pure  like  thyself,  and  bid  them  wake 

From  bruitish  joys  to  angels'  bliss  ! 

Not  lore  of  scribes, — not  priestly  spell, — 
Not  chrism, — nor  shrift, — nor  sacrament, 
Can  rear  again  the  holy  tent 

Where  God's  Shekinah  deigns  to  dwell. 

We  cannot  scan  the  wondrous  sleight, 
By  which  the  Ethiop's  cure  is  wrought ; 
But  sure  we  are,  thy  plastic  thought 

The  visage  dark  can  change  to  bright. 

Somehow — the  way  we  cannot  guess, — 
On  hearts  which  lift  to  thee  their  cry, 
Thou  sheddest,  as  thou  passest  by, 

Outpourings  of  thy  holiness. 

From  forms  and  rites,  to  thee,  the  Soul 

Of  life  Divine,  I  turn  my  quest! 

I  bare  to  thee  my  sin-stained  breast, . 
And  trust  in  thee  to  make  me  whole  ! 
9 


66  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


In  leper's  impotence  I  sit 

And  loathe  the  chains  I  strive  to  rend ; 

Be  thou  the  link  twixt  means  and  end, 
And  raise  me  from  the  miry  pit ! 

The  bruised  reed  thou  wilt  not  break  ; 

But  aid  it  heavenward  to  aspire ; 

So,  nurse  this  germ  of  pure  desire, 
And  from  thy  Fount  its  cravings  slake  ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  6j 


XXL 
ADOPTION- 

(Rom.  viii.  15.) 

AH  !   wondrous  word,  that  tells  the  tale 
Of  birthright  lost  and  gained  again  ! 
What  heights  of  joy,  what  depths  of  painr 

To  memory's  view  thou  dost  unveil ! 

The  fatal  lapse,  the  direful  breach, 
That  mark  the  fallen  soul's  decline, — 
That  dim  the  star  God  made  to  shine, — 

All  thought,  all  measurement  o'erreach. 

The  eye  that  mirrored  heaven's  own  blue, 
By  sin  is  bleared  with  tempers  foul, 
Till  alien  look,  and  demon  scowl, 

Supplant  the  angel's  native  hue. 


68  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


And  yet  from  fall  as  deep  as  this, 
O  Father,  thou  dost  save  thy  child ! 
And  on  the  brow,  by  guilt  defiled, 

Dost  print  the  sweet  forgiving  kiss  ! 


JAnd  such  thy  love,  that  thou  would'st  have 
The  fading  killed,  the  wine-cup  flow, 
To  let  the  wondering  household  know, 

%<  This  is  a  son, — no  cowering  slave  !  " 


It  is  not  the  cold,  grudging  dole, 

The  galling  yoke,  the  mandate  stern, 
Thou  metest  out,  at  his  return, 

But  home-born  cheer  and  joy  of  soul. 


Oh  !  why,  with  eyes  which  cannot  see, 
Will  blinded  scribes,  who  lead  the  blind, 
In  servile  fetters  hold  entwined 

Those  whom  the  Son  of  God  makes  free? 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  6y 


Ever,  O  Holy  Ghost,  1  own 

Thy  grace,  which  broke  my  bondman's  thong, 
And  taught  my  lips  Faith's  filial  song, 

"Whom  Jesus  saves,  is  God's  dear  son  !" 


yo  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


XXII. 
COMMUNION. 

(2  Cor.  xiii.  14.) 


"""pHE  Grace  of  the  Father,  the  Love  of  the  Son, 
Commingling  as  streams  which  in  confluence 
run, 
Flow  down  from  their  sources  in  crystalline  rills, 
Wafting  waters  of  life  from  the  heavenly  hills. 

In  sweet  benediction,  O  Spirit  divine, 
Thou  bearest  these  gifts,  as  the  chalice  of  wine 
To  fever-parched  lips  bears  the  generous  fruit 
Conveyed  from  the  vine  through  its  cluster  and 
root. 

Thou  cheerest  my  soul  with  the  witnessing  power 
Of  promise  and  pledge,  as  the  spring-time's  soft 

shower 
Instils  its  warm  life-blood  in  nature's  chilled  veins, 
And  mantles  with  verdure  bleak  winter's  domains. 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  yi 


Thou  sharest  with  mortals  thy  bountiful  store, 
As  Christ  fed  the  thousands  on  Galilee's  shore ; 
Or  stars,  in  the  night-time,  from  infinite  heights, 
Divide  with  the  ocean  and  lakelet  their  lights. 

In  fellowship  tender,  as  friend  holds  with  friend, 
Thou  makest   thy   strength  with  our  feebleness 

blend ; 
To  God  thou  dost  lead  us,  and  openest  our  ear 
With  loving  accordance  his  counsels  to  hear. 

Thou  cleansest  our  thoughts,  till,  with  lips  unde- 
fined, 

Our  prayer,  without  fear,  we  can  lisp  as  a  child ; 

Thou  broad'nest  self-love  by  thy  genial  con- 
straints, 

To  charities  wide  as  communion  with  saints. 

Thou  makest  us  feel  in  the  household  of  God, 
Like  children   reclaimed  from   their  wanderings 

abroad, — 
At  home,  where  the  converse  has  limitless  range, 
And  heart  answers  heart  in  confiding  exchange. 


J2  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


O  Blessed  Companion,  Inspirer,  and  Guide, 

Like   wedlock's  pure  symbol, — the   ring  of  the 
bride, 

By  sweet  intertwinings,  thy  fingers  of  love 

Embrace  me   e'en   now,   like  the   crowned  ones 

above. 

Be  near  me  to  chasten  these  natural  ties, 

When    earthward    would    wander    my    over-fond 

eyes  ! 
Be  near  me,  to  show  me  the  Seal  thou  hast  given, 
Whene'er  I  forget  my  espousal  to  heaven  ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  73 


XXIII. 

UNITY- 

(Eph.  iv.  3.) 

^\   SPIRIT,  let  thy  music  weave 

The  strifes  of  earth  to  harmony ! 
Oh  !  lull  their  discords,  as  the  eve 
Soothes  into  calm  the  troubled  sea ! 

Thy  Oneness  is  ineffable ! 

For  thou  art  God,  and  God  is  One  ! 
And  the  wide  thoughts  that  in  thee  swell 

Melt  ever  into  unison. 

Thou  art  not  stillness,  but  a  sound 
Which  floats  far  as  the  zephyrs  float ; 

But  in  thy  strains  no  jar  is  found, 
For  all  are  tuned  to  love's  key-note. 

Thou  canst  not  be  from  self  diverse, 
There  are  no  rifts  in  thy  sweet  chords  ; 
10 


7^  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


To  several  souls  thou  dost  rehearse 

One  faith,  one  creed,  one  chime  of  words. 

Not  thine  the  fault,  O  Voice  divine  ! 

But  ours  the  jaundiced  mote  and  beam, 
Which  warp  thy  word's  consistent  line, 

And  tinge  thy  rays  with  variant  gleam. 

Oh  !  why  in  human  souls,  wherein 

The  love  of  Christ  has  been  enshrined, 

Should  harsh  distempers,  born  of  sin, 
On  battle-fields  range  mind  with  mind  ? 

Oh  !  when  wilt  thou  truth's  radiant  face 
Reveal  so  clear  to  our  dull  sight, 

That  in  its  orb  no  eye  can  trace 
A  spot,  a  gap,  to  mar  its  light  ? 

O  Holy  Spirit,  o'er  the  eyes 

Of  purblind  men  thy  healing  pour, 

Till  each  'neath  other's  garb  descries 
The  lineaments  the  Master  bore  ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  75 


Impress  thy  seal  of  unity 

On  all  who  bear  thine  inward  sign  ! 
And  show  how  kindly  may  agree 

The  hostile  clans  of  "  Mine"  and  "  Thine  "  ! 

Till,  clasped  as  waves  clasp  on  the  strand, 
And  fused,  as  mists  at  rise  of  sun, 

The  Church — no  more  a  severed  band, — 
At  one  with  thee,  shall  blend  as  one  ! 


yd  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spit  it. 


XXIV. 

Liberty. 

(2  Cor.  ii.  17.) 


^THOU  takest  captive,  and  thou  makest  free, 

Sweet  Messenger  of  Grace  ! 
In  truest  love  thou  bind'st  the  soul  to  thee, 

And  other  bonds  dost  thus  displace  ! 
Through  thy  wise  sway,  thou  givest  man  the  key 
That  opes  the  door  to  perfect  Liberty ! 

There  is  no  will  to  have  the  will  supreme — 

No  claim  of  lordly  right  to  rule — 
In  hearts  where  thou  dost  dwell!     The  lawless 
dream 

Of  pride  is  banished  from  thy  school  ! 
Thanks  for  the  text,  too  seldom  understood, 
That  lust  uncurbed  is  fatal  servitude ! 

The  evil  mind  that  has  its  own  wild  way, 
Unconscious  makes  the  yoke  it  mocks; 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  jj 


In  granite  grooves  its  loosest  movements  play, 

Like  rushing  streamlet  'midst  the  rocks. 
Discarding  law,  man  finds  himself  has  grown 
To  be  the  tyrant  he  would  fain  dethrone. 

In  thy  pure  channels,  O  Celestial  Guide, 
My  wayward  passions  kindly  draw ! 

Control  my  will,  till,  like  the  ocean's  tide, 
It  bows  its  strength  to  Heaven's  great  law  ! 

Thy  fetters  are  my  glory  and  my  gain  ; 

Beneath  thy  sceptre,  I  a  monarch  reign. 

The  soul  that  strives  by  its  own  thrift  or  pain 
To  earn  the  meed  of  righteousness, 

Is  ever  forging  for  itself  a  chain, 

Whose  links,  each  hour,  more  closely  press. 

In  bondage  drear  it  plies  its  fruitless  toils, — 

Like  him  on  whom  the  lifted  rock  recoils. 

O  Gentle  Spirit,  thou  hast  taught  my  eye 

To  see  in  Christ  the  better  way ! 
To  him,  with  will  subdued,  I  gladly  fly, 

And  on  his  strength  my  weakness  stay  ! 


y8  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


I  work  no  more  in  proud  sufficiency, — 

I  work  from  love  to  him  who  ransomed  me  ! 

The   worldling,  groveling  through  these  clouded 
days 

That  span  the  space  'twixt  birth  and  grave, 
Walks  trembling  through  a  spectre-haunted  maze, 

Through  fear  of  death,  a  tortured  slave. 
I  walk  the  earth, — whatever  may  betide, 
In  hope  immortal,  for  my  Lord  has  died  ! 

Oh  !  more  and  more,  help  me,  thou  Holy  Ghost, 
To  clasp  the  bands  of  thy  sweet  thrall, 

That  more  and  more  my  joy,  my  crown,  my  boast, 
May  be,  that  Jesus  is  my  all  in  all  ! 

In  self-extinction,  from  false  masters  free, 

Let  me  behold  the  life  of  Liberty  ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  79 


XXV. 

THE  INVITATION- 

(Rev.  xxii.  17.) 

IN  a  many-tongued   speech,   O   thou   Spirit  of 

Love, 
'Midst    the  clamor  of  life    thy    calm    cadences 

move, 
And  with  accent  as  soft  as  the  sea-billow's  foam, 
When  it  touches  the  strand,  whisper  ceaselessly, 

Come  ! 

Like  the  voice  of  a  mother,  they  entwine  their 

bland  lay 
With  the  child's  cradle  hymn,  and  seem  gently  to 

say, 
"  In   the   days  of  thy  youth,  ere  the  chill  frosts 

benumb, 
Oh !  let  sucklings  and  babes  to  the  dear  Saviour 

Come  ! " 


So  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


With  a  voice  which  upbraids  me  with  folly  and 

fraud, — 
With  a  treacherous  heart  that  has  wandered  from 

God  ; 
To  the  leper  unclean,  to  the  outcast  from  home. 
Whose   default    calls    for    vengeance — they    still 

utter,  Come  ! 

With  a  voice  which  floats  in  like  a  breath  of  per- 
fume 

To  the  mourner,  revolving  in  silence  and  gloom 

The  dark  tale  of  his  woe,  they  transmute  the  sad 
tome, 

To  the  legend  of  faith,  "  Lo !  the  Master  has 
Come ! " 

With  a  voice  that  outvoices  the  thunders  of  law, 
When  stem  conscience  condemns  me  for  crime 

and  for  flaw  ; 
When,  o'erwhelmed  with  my  guilt,  I  sit  hopeless 

and  dumb, 
They  invite  me  to  Jesus  for  pardon  to  Come  ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  81 


With  a  voice  which  rings  out  like  a  trumpet  tone, 

clear, 
When  the  shadows  grow  dark  and  the  death  vale 

is  near, 
To  the  terror-struck  soul  they  cry,   "  Fear  not  the 

tomb ! 
Thy   warfare's    accomplished,— thy    Redemption 

has  Come  !  " 

With  a  voice  which  shall  rise  'midst  the  roar  of 

the  shock, 
Which  the  pillars  of  earth  and   of  heaven  shall 

rock, 
They  shall  echo  the  Judge,  as  he  counts  up  the  sum 
Of  his   chosen  and  faithful,  and   calls  to  them, 

"Come!" 

Oh  !   thou   sweetest  of  words !  thou  Evangel  of 

Peace  ! 
From  the  lure  of  strange  voices  my  spirit  release  ! 
Let  thy  call  go  before  me  wherever  I  roam, 
Till   the   pilgrim    at   last   to  his   rest   shall   have 

"  Come ! " 
ii 


82  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


XXVI. 
THE   SPIRIT   RESISTED. 

(Acts  vii.  51.) 

f~\  H  !  direst  frenzy  of  the  soul ! 

Oh  !  darkest  record  on  the  scroll 
Of  human  sin  !     Oh  !  rage  malign, 
l  hat  dares  to  quench  the  fire  divine 
Of  thy  fond  wooings,  Heavenly  Guest, 
And  drive  thee,  grieving,  from  the  breast ! 

Shall  panting  hart  refuse  the  draught 
That  to  its  lips  the  waters  waft  ? 
Shall  parched  field  reject  the  rain 
That  comes  to  give  it  life  again  ? 
Shall  famished  babe  with  loathing  turn 
From  the  sweet  fount  of  nature's  urn  ? 

Shall  the  imbruted  prodigal 
Reject  the  father's  yearning  call, 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  83 


That  bids  him  from  his  wanderings  come 
Back  to  the  feast  of  childhood's  home  ? 
Shall  man,  with  worse  than  swineherd's  lust, 
Spurn  heavenly  bread,  to  feed  on  dust  ? 

O  God  !  I  tremble  at  the  thought, 

That  I  with  this  dread  power  am  fraught, — 

To  lift  this  creature- will  of  mine 

In  conflict  bold  with  will  of  thine. — 

And  bar  the  door,  and  cry,  "  Depart," 

When  Christ  stands  knocking  at  my  heart  ! 

O  God,  that  those  by  thee  endued 
With  this  high  gift  of  angelhood, 
Should  use  their  gift,  by  deed  or  lips, 
The  Giver's  glory  to  eclipse  ! 
And,  like  the  slave  of  demon's  spell, 
The  evil  choose,  the  good  repel ! 

At  this  I  marvel  !     But  still  more, 

0  God  !  I  wonder  and  adore, 
When  o'er  this  scene  of  mad  revolt, 

1  see  the  stroke  of  vengeance  halt. 


84  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


And  hear  thee  plead  with  pitying  cry, 
"  Oh !  sinners,  turn  !  why  will  ye  die?" 

O  Holy  Ghost !     O  gentleness 

Of  Love,  which  longs  its  foes  to  bless, 

Teach  these  hard  hearts,  at  last,  to  see 

That  Sin  is  malice  aimed  at  thee ! 

Till  the  cold  ice  of  unbelief 

Shall  melt  at  sight  of  thy  strange  grief ! 

And  ever  in  this  soul  of  mine, 

Let  thy  soft  hand,  with  touch  benign, 

Control  each  wayward  wish  and  thought, 

Till  life  in  me,  with  thine  inwrought, 

Shall  at  thy  bidding  sweetly  run, 

As  planets  course  around  the  sun  ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  85 


XXVII. 
"PRAYING  IN  THE  HOLY  cHost." 

(Jude  20.) 

/^\   THOU  who  dost  thy  banquets  spread, 

And  for  thy  guests  the  robe  prepare. 
On  me,  thy  suppliant,  kindly  shed 
The  grace  of  prayer  ! 

Thy  greatness,  Lord,  seals  up  my  cry  ! 

Thy  majesty  rebukes  my  suit ! 
In  voiceless  impotence  I  lie 
Prone  at  thy  foot  ! 

So  free  thy  call — so  rich  thy  store, 

So  keen  the  pangs  which  drive  me  near ; 
I  still  must  linger  round  thy  door, 
And  crave  thy  cheer  ! 

O  Holy  Ghost,  whose  pitying  eye 
The  starveling's  timid  haltings  views, 


86  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


Stretch  forth  thy  hand  !  the  things  supply 
I  need  to  use  ! 

For  tinseled  rag  of  Pharisee 

Clothe  me  with  sackcloth's  lowly  grey ! 
While  broken  heart  and  bended  knee 
My  errand  say  ! 

With  empty  hand,  outstretched  to  plead, 

Like  Lazarus',  for  mercy's  crumb, 
Let  me  receive — not  buy — heaven's  bread, 
With  tradesman's  sum  ! 

Let  truth  within  my  inward  parts 

Each  uttered  phrase  with  meaning  fill ! 
And  spirit  stir  devotion's  arts 
With  vital  thrill  ! 

Give  me  the  faith  which  in  Christ's  hands 

My  guilt,  my  fears,  my  burdens  lays  ; 
Assured  the  debt  his  Law  demands. 
His  Pity  pays  ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  £7 


Give  me  the  child's  sweet  confidence, 

That  makes  the  parent's  mind  his  own  ! 
Whate'er  I  ask,  be  this  my  sense, 
"  Thy  will  be  done  !  " 

Let  prayer  to  holy  converse  rise, — 

A  union  close  with  God  above, — 
An  interflow  of  sympathies 

'Twixt  those  who  love  ! 

Oh  !  ever  thus,  till  that  glad  hour 

When  I  his  face  unveiled  shall  see, 
Do  thou,  O  Spirit,  grant  me  power 
To  pray  in  thee  ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


XXVIII. 
"WALKlNC  IN  THE  SPIRIT." 

(Gal.  v.  16.) 

QHOW  me  thy  way,  O  Heavenly  Guide, — 
The  way  Christ's  sheep  have  trod  of  old, 
Lest  my  weak  soul  be  lured  aside 
From  his  safe  fold  ! 

The  world  without,  the  flesh  within, 

Enclose  me  in  their  tortuous  maze, 
And  veil  the  noisome  walks  of  sin 
With  beauty's  haze. 

Give  me  the  eye,  with  vision  clear, 

To  note  'twixt  true  and  false  the  line  ! 
Grant  me  the  ear  that  loves  to  hear 
The  voice  Divine  ! 

Help  me,  by  faith,  to  stand  erect, 

With  God's  own  pattern  in  accord, — 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  8g 


Conformed,  not  to  man's  code  or  sect. 
But  his  sure  Word  ! 

Cleanse  thou  my  motive, — tone  my  will, — 

Make  nature's  spring-head  pure  and  good, 
That  life  may  flow,  in  sea  or  rill, 
A  limpid  flood  ! 

Not  motionless,  like  passive  clay, — 

Moulded  and  moved  by  priestly  hand ; 
But  free,  as  winds  which  know  no  stay 
On  sea  or  land, — 

Would  I  thy  inspiration  feel, — 

And  walk  as  thou  dost  bid  me  go, — 
As  winged  notes  from  harp- strings  steal — 
At  player's  blow. 

Draw  me,  each  hour,  with  that  constraint 

Which  Christ  upon  his  loved  ones  lays  ; 

And  by  that  sign,  when  zeal  grows  faint, 

My  courage  raise. 
12 


go  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


Give  me  the  power  to  find  in  him, 

My  peace — my  strength — my  righteousness; 
As  pulsing  life  from  vine  to  limb, 
Bears  its  excess  ! 

Teach  me  to  yield  my  fond  desires 

To  thy  pure  sway — that,  purged  by  thee, 
Like  incense  breathed  from  altar-fires, 
Their  flames  may  be  ! 

Upborne  by  aspirations  high, 

Above  the  lure  of  earth's  decoys, 
Oh  !  lead  me  on,  with  steadfast  eye, 
To  heaven's  true  joys  ! 

But  ah  !  in  vain  to  that  far  height, 

My  feeble  pinion  strives  to  spring ; 
O  Holy  Dove,  aid  thou  my  flight, 
With  thy  strong  wing  ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  gi 


T 


XXIX. 

"LAUS  spiritu  SANCTO." 

O  thee,  O  Holy  Ghost, 
The  universal  host 
Of  saints  accord 
Honor  and  majesty  ! 
With  voices  like  the  sea, 
They  lift  their  songs  to  thee, — 
"  Praise  ye  the  Lord  !  " 


For  nothing  less  art  thou 
Than  he  upon  whose  brow 

Sits  Deity  ! 
Within  that  awful  shrine, 
Where  dwells  the  Life  divine, 
Through  work,  and  word,  and  sign, 

Thy  form  we  see  ! 


Q2  Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 


Thou  wast  at  nature's  birth 
Inspiring  soulless  earth 

With  God's  own  breath  ! 
Thou  wast  the  Witness  when 
The  Lord  came  down  to  men, 
To  grant,  through  grace  again, 

Release  from  death  ! 

Through  thy  transforming  leaven 
Thou  giv'st  the  health  of  heaven 

To  sickened  hearts  ! 
The  blind  receive  their  sight  ! 
The  foul  is  cleansed  to  white  ! 
The  wrong  grows  into  right, 

Through  thy  blest  arts  ! 

We  magnify  thy  name  ! 
Higher  than  the  acclaim 

Of  angels'  choir 
O'er  Eden's  sinless  bloom, — 
We  hail  thy  dove-like  plume, 
Fanning  in  hearts  of  gloom 

Hope's  sacred  fire  ! 


Hymns  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  gj 


Oh  !  come  as  erst  thy  wing 
Came  brightly  hovering 

O'er  Jordan's  ford  ! 
And  bless  the  Gospel  s  flow, 
Till  all  this  world  of  woe 
Shall  Christ  the  Saviour  know, 

And  own  him  Lord  ! 


